Best/Most Important Michelle Kwan performances/programs?

As my skating education of my new husband and stepdaughter marches on (I'm doing my best to get them ready for and invested in the skaters by Nationals/Olympics), we have reached Michelle Kwan. What are the 6-10 most important/best Michelle performances that will give them an overview of her career and show them what an unparalleled talent and joy she was?
Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions!

Oh god this is a tough question! I think 98 Nationals certainly comes to mind.

I also think to truly understand the scope of her achievements and what she did it's important to show the less happy moments in her skating to emphasize the triumphs and the level and presence and vulnerability she really was displaying on the ice.

Fields of Gold in Salt Lake for sure.

I know the two videos I've shown friends who know little about skating that have elicited tears from them are her free skate at 2002 nationals and either worlds or nationals in 2003.

Mazel tov on the marriage! Michelle's programs between '96 and '01 have things that your hubby and stepdaughter may recognize in the CoP programs -- choreography, transitions, and the spinning in both directions (which is a feature that may move a spin up a level) -- that Michelle's post SLC programs didn't have. I would recommend:

1996 Worlds ... both SP and FS

1998 Nats ... both SP and FS

2000 Worlds FS

2001 Worlds ... QR (emergency boot repair before her QR -- her great skate in the QR shows something of her mental strength. Her 2004 Worlds FS ... complete with streaker ... also shows her focus)

Oh god this is a tough question! I think 98 Nationals certainly comes to mind.

I also think to truly understand the scope of her achievements and what she did it's important to show the less happy moments in her skating to emphasize the triumphs and the level and presence and vulnerability she really was displaying on the ice.

Fields of Gold in Salt Lake for sure.

I know the two videos I've shown friends who know little about skating that have elicited tears from them are her free skate at 2002 nationals and either worlds or nationals in 2003.

Good luck! let us know how it goes.

Great ideas and thoughts- thank you so much!

I am also planning to show a picture or video of her pre the 1996 transformation so they can see how young and little she was and how she came into her own in 96.

Mazel tov on the marriage! Michelle's programs between '96 and '01 have things that your hubby and stepdaughter may recognize in the CoP programs -- choreography, transitions, and the spinning in both directions (which is a feature that may move a spin up a level) -- that Michelle's post SLC programs didn't have. I would recommend:

1996 Worlds ... both SP and FS

1998 Nats ... both SP and FS

2000 Worlds FS

2001 Worlds ... QR (emergency boot repair before her QR -- her great skate in the QR shows something of her mental strength. Her 2004 Worlds FS ... complete with streaker ... also shows her focus)

Thanks for your kind words! Excellent points you make here. I am compiling a list based on your and Samson's great suggestions. Big Thanks!

My favorite program of Michelle's - East of Eden! The music was beautiful, the choreography was exquisite, and Michelle skated it with her heart. Was it important? I don't know. I just know that it was mesmerizing and really showed what a beautiful skater Michelle was.

1999 Nationals LP. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdYMMAyyMWg Yes, she fell, but the rest of it was perfection and this version of the program is actually a little better than her 1998 World Pro performance, because of the stunning 3-3 combo.

I'm so glad you're introducing your new family to Michelle's work. Everything that's been mentioned so far is worth looking at. My top choices are generally Worlds 2001 LP (Song of the Black Swan) and Nationals 1998, both SP and LP, as well as the 1998 Pro-Am performance of East of Eden, but all the others are compelling as well. Enjoy!